Program MSTAR

Description, and instructions for the user

MSTAR is a program that calculates electronic stopping powers for heavy ions ( ₃Li to ₁₈Ar). The basic description of its first version has been published [1]. For version 2.00 , the fitting functions and various details have been improved [2]. From version 2.11 on, the program can also calculate nickel targets. For version 3.00 (November 2002), data from recent publications (collected until September, 2002), and data for nickel targets have been included in the data base. All the fits for solid data have been redone. This has not changed mode 'c' much. But for mode 'd', it has become possible to determine a small residual Z ₂-dependence of the normalized stopping power ratio S_rel , well hidden in the statistical scatter of the data, and to produce a corresponding small correction to mode 'c'. Thus, mode 'd' is now available for all ions in solids, and it represents the data for most ions slightly better than mode 'c' (see statistical analysis).
Version 3.11 (April 2003) will also calculate B, Zr, Gd and Ta targets, but the data base has not been changed since version 3.00. A table based on this version has been published [3]. The present version 3.12 (May 2004) is mathematically identical to version 3.11, except for  an improved error function subroutine.

The program has been written in ANSI FORTRAN 77 in the form of a subroutine package with top-level routine MSTAR1 that can be linked to any other FORTRAN program requiring electronic stopping powers. Links to the particular routines are contained in the file Mssubs.f. A sample main program, MSTAR.FOR, has been written to demonstrate the use of subprogram MSTAR1; it can be used to calculate single values or tables of stopping powers.

MSTAR is mainly based upon the alpha stopping powers contained in ICRU Report 49 [4]. It will calculate the stopping of all the elements, mixtures and compounds contained in that report (and also of B, Ni, Zr, Gd, and Ta), for ions from ₃Li to ₁₈Ar. As in the report, targets are identified by an identification number (ID) which is identical to the atomic number for elemental targets. The ID numbers can be found in Tables 1.1 and 1.2 of the report [4], and in the (slightly augmented) Table 1 below. Table 1.2 of the report also gives the elemental compositions of mixtures and compounds.

MSTAR can also produce the alpha stopping powers that serve as input; except for B, Ni, Zr, Gd, and Ta, these are identical to those contained in ICRU Report 49.

Table 1. Identification (ID) Numbers of Targets

For downloading, we have prepared an archive file MStar312.zip with three subdirectories. With the source codes we include a DOS executable of MSTAR that can be run, e.g., in the DOS window of Windows 9x/ME/NT (at the DOS prompt or started by double-clicking Mstar.exe in the Explorer). Then follow the instructions of the program.

The program MSTAR or any application calling MSTAR1 needs the database file Msdbs1.d in the same directory as the executable program. Following the first call to MSTAR1 this file is read into memory, which can take a few seconds on low performance systems. The user should keep this in mind, especially if the application is time critical. Additional calls to MSTAR1 do not read the database file again. It is not intended that the end-user should call any routines directly, except MSTAR1 and MSEMSG. For details on how to call these subroutines see the comment header of Mssubs.f and/or the headers of the particular routine.

In the top level subroutine MSTAR1, six modes of operation are available, which are distinguished by the use of different built-in fitting coefficients a_f, b _f, c_f :

Table 2. Modes of operation

In the sample main program MSTAR, only the modes 'a' and 'b' are available. The program prints out the actual mode ('c'|'d'|'g'|'h') used [9].

Concerning solids: mode 'd' should be superior to mode 'c', since it is specific to the ion, although mode 'c' is based on more data [2]. Indeed, mode 'd' represents the data better than mode 'c' (see table 3 below).
Concerning gases: mode 'h', though based on less data, appears to represent the measurements slightly better than mode 'g' (see table 4 below).

We suggest to use mode 'b' which should be good for most purposes.

REFERENCES AND FOOTNOTES.

[1] H.Paul and A.Schinner, "An empirical approach to the stopping power of solids and gases for ions from ₃Li to ₁₈Ar, Nucl. Instr. Meth. Phys. Res. B 179 (2001) 299

[2] H.Paul and A.Schinner, "An empirical approach to the stopping power of solids and gases for ions from ₃Li to ₁₈Ar, Part II, Nucl. Instr. Meth. Phys. Res. B 195 (2002) 166

[3] H. Paul and A. Schinner, “Empirical stopping power tables for ions from ₃Li to ₁₈Ar and from 0.001 to 1000 MeVnucleon in solids and gases”, Atomic Data Nucl. Data Tables 85 (2003) 377

[4] ICRU Report 49, "Stopping Powers and Ranges for Protons and Alpha Particles", Intern. Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements, Bethesda, Maryland (1993), and program ASTAR, version 2

[5] 'any target' or 'any ion' in this context means the supported range of targets (cf. table 1) or ions (₃Li to ₁₈Ar).

[6] MSTAR will also produce results for He ions; these are identical to those given in ref. [3].

[7] For targets where not enough data are available, or where the deviation from mode 'c' is negligible, MSTAR will choose to calculate mode 'c' even if mode 'd' was requested by the user.

[8]Not enough data are available for gases to determine the Z ₂ -dependence in mode 'h'.

[9] In Ref. [1], modes 'c', 'd', 'g', and 'h' were called 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively.

LICENSE AGREEMENT

This program and/or the corresponding subroutine package is hereby released as freeware. This means you can freely use, copy, modify, and/or distribute the source code. However, please do not remove the authors' names from the source code comments.

The authors cannot be made responsible for any damage caused by the use of their program code. YOU ARE USING THE ENTIRE PROGRAM SYSTEM OR ANY PART OF IT ENTIRELY AT YOUR OWN RISK!

On the other hand, we welcome bug reports and/or other feedback; please send emails to: nds.contact-point@iaea.org

By downloading this program you are accepting the above license agreement!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD MSTAR V3.12